About the Show

SJIP is back with a first look at our current project: a time-traveling, comedic exploration of the history-making 2020 election cycle. On the night of Saturday, November 7, 2020 the world watched as we made history: U.S. voters elected the first woman as the Vice President of the United States. Kamala Harris was the first to win, but not the first to run.

Following the summer of Black Lives Matter protests and community actions for racial justice in cities across the country and around the world - and after months of social distancing and pandemic isolation - civic engagement was trending, and it seemed like lasting change was on the horizon.

Developed through storytelling methods used by civil rights organizers and Spolin-based improvisation, and weaving together personal stories with the legacy of political pioneer Shirley Chisholm, the SJIP cast brings you a story inspired by a quote from the late Congressman John Lewis: "Democracy is not a state, it's an act."

CAST: Onyi Okoli, Max Raymond, Jeff Kitt, Zach Lennon-Simon, Vanita Kumar, Charlsie Bastian, Krista White

WITH SPECIAL GUEST: Branded Silk

DIRECTOR: Shari Hazlett

SJIP COMPANY: Charlsie Bastian, Tanyika Carey, Kalynn Chambers, Reid Clark, Virginia Dickens, Paula Harrington, Shari Hazlett Jeff Kitt, Allie Kroeper, Vanita Kumar, Aaron LaRoche, Zach Lennon-Simon, Melody Louisdon, Sarafina Ludlow, Bernice Man, Rachael Mason, Onyi Okoli, Laxmi Priya, Shweta Bhat, Anisha Pucadyil, Max Raymond, Sachin Sharma, Siddharth Venkatesh, Krista White, Daniel Winn, Jude Treder-Wolff

This show will be followed by a talkback with the cast and director about our development process and the role of comedy in social justice.

To learn more, reach out by email at socialjusticeimprovproject@gmail.com or follow SJIP on Instagram @socialjusticeimprovproject